Shred V
Reviewed by:
MegaCommandant, on november 09, 2012 1 of 4 people found this review helpful

Price paid: € 1074

Purchased from: Steff Music

Features: The Shred V is a guitar build for metal! The Shred was a part of the Guitar Of The Month series in 2008 as the August model and production was limited to only 1000 models. The Shred contains 22 frets on a mahogany ebony fretboard with black acrylic Dot inlays. The Scale Length is 24-3/4".The body is also made in mahogany and is formed like a Flying V. The finish is in black, so it gets the metal look. The bridge is a Kahler 2215K tremolo system which gives you the opportunity to make insane divebombes or just a little tremolo vibration. The Locking Grover tuners keep the guitar in tune no matter how hard you push the Kahler. The Shred has 2, 85 active EMG pickups to give it a great metal sound. To control these 2 beasts, there are a volume, a tone control and a 3-way selector. A special designed hardshell case follows with the guitar. // 9

Sound: I play a a lot of different music but mostly metal which is the reason that I bought it. The EMGs create a fantastic sound and I can't believe how I have survived without the Kahler before. But the guitar is not only good to metal, you can use it to classic rock and other more peaceful music styles. But I would recommend you to buy the Shred V if you want a metal guitar and blow the money on a Les Paul if you want to play blues.
I use a Roland Cube 60x and a Boss Metal Core pedal. The guitar works excellent with these 2 and I can only imagine how good it would sound with a Marshall stack! The Shred Got a rich sound and divebombs with the Kahler is really easy. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar is solid build, the neck is put together with the body and everything sits where it should sit. All the hardware is working good and in the year I owned it there hasn't been a problem. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I would put my own life in the hands of this guitar if I could. I have played life with it a couple of times and it has never failed me. I trust Gibson's reputation of making excellent guitars and this one is certainly no exception! // 10

Overall Impression: If you are seeking a good solid guitar for metal, the Shred V is perfect choice. I love the the details and especially the hardware on it, but if your paycheck isn't in the highroller class you should consider another guitar. The only thing I could miss on this guitar was maybe some more creative fretboard inlays and more tone controls so I could create a kill switch.
But the Gibson Shred V is an amazing guitar build for metal and quality! // 9

hmmm....sounds too good to be true, i'll stick with my ESP V401, the only gibsons with trems on should be the SGs with the Maestro trem on them, they're trying to join a market where theres already god knows how many guitar companies leading

Time Seller wrote:
Gibson's reputation of making excellent guitars? They've been persistently churning our mediocrity the whole of this last decade

It's not that at all. It's actually the fact that every guitar is made differently, therefore, you'll like some guitars and you won't like some. To be honest, it was exactly the same as the 50s and 60s.
Now the 70s and maybe 80s weren't a good time for Gibson. Nowadays is just middle of the line.

Sounds ace, but i'd stick wit my Jackson JS30RR. The only thing about the Jackson though was that i got it witha basic bridge with no whammy; a bit like the one on the ESP LTD F-100FM. Still, good guitar. EMG makes squealies sound sick as hell!

Wish Gibson would stick with what they know... all recent attempts to make revoloutionary and groundbreaking instruments seem to have been met with negativity. Just get them to price the classics reasonably and they'd do so much better.

ParasiticTwins wrote:
Wish Gibson would stick with what they know... all recent attempts to make revoloutionary and groundbreaking instruments seem to have been met with negativity. Just get them to price the classics reasonably and they'd do so much better.

and sadly they wont because theyve established prestige behind the name and can pretty much do what they want.. theyre turnin to mass markets for the money and ignorance of the buyer and can now simply throw the word shred infront of a V or load up an LP with electronic crap because they dont have to worry about sellin it..
pretty sure its the guitar player who makes it shred but hey whatever you can get away with tellin the people!

Fazemelta666 wrote:
Sounds ace, but i'd stick wit my Jackson JS30RR. The only thing about the Jackson though was that i got it witha basic bridge with no whammy; a bit like the one on the ESP LTD F-100FM. Still, good guitar. EMG makes squealies sound sick as hell!

I also 2nd this. ESP makes better more versatile guitars for way cheaper. I love Gibson guitars, but I'm not rich, and even if I was to buy an expensive gibson is just not practical. My LTD EC1000 plays better than a lot of Gibsons, and believe me I have played many gibsons.

If you're going to go with a Gibson flying V just stick to the classics. They weren't made to stick a tremolo system on them. The recent "faded" series are great in my opinion, especially for the price. You can play anywhere from smooth jazz to crunchy metal on them.

RATMRUSH :
I reckon Gibson make quality guitars, not as much now, but they really shouldn't go into metal in my opinion, it's not where they should be.

a lot of metal musicians use Gibsons for whether it be In Flames, Morbid Angel, or Gorgoroth. I've been playing metal on Gibson for years and even though the neck is fat and kind of unforgiving to play live you can't beat the tone of a solid mahogany guitar period. Floating bridge kills some sustain though so I'd like hear this thing play to see if its worth it.

Anti-Gibsons,
I own a Gibson Les Paul 2008 Standard and it's totally awesome for metal and actully awesome for anything... ('cause if Zakk Wylde can get a killing sound from a LP, we can too)
I'm planning to purchase a Jackson Kelly KE3, I played one and it was good, I'm buying it mainly for the Floyd Rose...
Main conclusion: Gibson are expensive as hell, but it's a guitar for life. You won't regret any nickel you'll spend for a GOOD Gibson guitar...

I think it's a cool idea they had here. But they're also making more metal guitars with the Prophecy series. And then there's the goth series. I just side with most when I say they should stick to their original market and products. And besides, Gibson guitars are pretty flimsy. Well made for playing, just flimsy in durability. I'll stick to my Ibanez.

MrGuitarGuy01 wrote:
robbit wrote:
Stick with ESPs. Gibson's time is long up.
I also 2nd this. ESP makes better more versatile guitars for way cheaper. I love Gibson guitars, but I'm not rich, and even if I was to buy an expensive gibson is just not practical. My LTD EC1000 plays better than a lot of Gibsons, and believe me I have played many gibsons.

Yeah, but you have to spend a decent amount of money on an ESP to have it set up with good electronics and have it be light instead of crazy heavy and flimsy like their low end models.
I like ESP because they have a production line baritone series, and well, I want a baritone. Haha.

For all haters:
Gibson still makes good guitars, you just have to look for them. Unfortunately, the quality of their guitars can vary greatly...even if they're the same model, so you really have to play a Gibson before you buy it.
ALSO, the Faded LP Studio is the best value Gibson has.

For all who defend gibsons here;
Wrong. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. Ever since Henry Juszkiewicz became chairman of Gibson Inc., quality control has spiralled down out of control. His own employees hate him, and several have already quit, despite the fact he puts on a charming face for the press. He's a two-faced son of a bitch who's overworking his employees, causing a massive amount of ****ups, both deliberate and accidental. I'd sooner watch Gibson Inc. fall than buy one.
In relation to the actual guitar review, it looks like a gorgeous guitar. Were it ten years ago, I'd love it. Let's hope they don't screw this one up.

LordChrix wrote:
it doesnt have locking nut, a cheap squier is better tan this thing

You fail at life. Just because a guitar with a trem system doesn't have a locking nut, doesn't make it suck. You don't need locking tuners with a Tune-O-Matic bridge, but look at all the guitars that have those!
A locking tuner is the same concept as a locking nut, but up a few inches. Jeez people! Learn about your guitar hardware!
And furthermore, you think crappy Chinese made single coils are better than EMGs? And that Mahogany is worse than compressed slabs of whats probably plywood?
Think before you post something publicly. Get edumacated.

Ishiga wrote:
For all who defend gibsons here;
Wrong. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. Ever since Henry Juszkiewicz became chairman of Gibson Inc., quality control has spiralled down out of control. His own employees hate him, and several have already quit, despite the fact he puts on a charming face for the press. He's a two-faced son of a bitch who's overworking his employees, causing a massive amount of ****ups, both deliberate and accidental. I'd sooner watch Gibson Inc. fall than buy one.
In relation to the actual guitar review, it looks like a gorgeous guitar. Were it ten years ago, I'd love it. Let's hope they don't screw this one up.

Ishiga wrote:
For all who defend gibsons here;
Wrong. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. Ever since Henry Juszkiewicz became chairman of Gibson Inc., quality control has spiralled down out of control. His own employees hate him, and several have already quit, despite the fact he puts on a charming face for the press. He's a two-faced son of a bitch who's overworking his employees, causing a massive amount of ****ups, both deliberate and accidental. I'd sooner watch Gibson Inc. fall than buy one.

Fail. I bought a 2008 Les Paul Studio and it's awesome. You can think what you want. But I know I got a rockin' guitar.

Oh boy! Another ****ing Gibson... Ooh? This one's for METAL too. I suggest Gibson stops trying so hard, sit down and rethink the last ten years. They're pulling a Marshall with all this new "groundbreaking" crap. I remember when music companies had dignity and thought out a product before they made it...

ParasiticTwins wrote:
Wish Gibson would stick with what they know... all recent attempts to make revoloutionary and groundbreaking instruments seem to have been met with negativity. Just get them to price the classics reasonably and they'd do so much better.

How do you expect anyone to make progress, groundbreaking enhancements, creative new ideas if they just stick to what they know. How can a company like this make a "comeback" when so many people simply take the he said she said negativity against it as truth and pass it on at every given chance. How about you try the guitar and then tell me an opinion after you had the ability to formulate it rather then speculate.

Locking tuners are absolutely not a subsitute for a locking nut.
They are fine on fixed bridge guitar as they keep you in tune during huge bends and you pretty much never have to tune your guitar.
But if you abuse your whammy bar locking tuners simply won't keep you in tune.
And Gibson's aren't terrible they're just ridiculously overpriced. Bad for the money doesn't actually mean it's a bad guitar.

EdenFury wrote:
hmmm....sounds too good to be true, i'll stick with my ESP V401, the only gibsons with trems on should be the SGs with the Maestro trem on them, they're trying to join a market where theres already god knows how many guitar companies leading

it doesn't have a locking nut... my freind is getting explorer version

Fazemelta666 wrote:
Sounds ace, but i'd stick wit my Jackson JS30RR. The only thing about the Jackson though was that i got it witha basic bridge with no whammy; a bit like the one on the ESP LTD F-100FM. Still, good guitar. EMG makes squealies sound sick as hell!

jetfuel495 wrote:
Fazemelta666 wrote:
Sounds ace, but i'd stick wit my Jackson JS30RR. The only thing about the Jackson though was that i got it witha basic bridge with no whammy; a bit like the one on the ESP LTD F-100FM. Still, good guitar. EMG makes squealies sound sick as hell!You'd take a JS series Jackson over a limited edition Gibson?
K.

I think it's all personal preference. It doesn't matter if a guitar is limited edition, that doesn't make it better. But I know what you mean about the JS series.
You mean to tell me you'd take a limited edition Gibson over an Ibanez JEM?
Any comeback here would just result in me saying, "It's personal preference." I have a crappy Silvertone acoustic from 1963 in my possession right now and it plays better than most acoustics I've tried. Not all, but most.

Boss metal core and Roland cube 60... even my strat would sound awesome for metal. Try it with proper equipment, before making a review - and, if possible, compare.
About Gibson... sorry, I can't play them, I find the neck hostile to my hand. Anyway, how can you call a 22 fret guitar a shred guitar? I mean, there's a tradition...

r0ckth3d34n wrote:
A locking tuner is the same concept as a locking nut, but up a few inches. Jeez people! Learn about your guitar hardware!

However, when you have bar abuse the strings will stretch and contract in response... the problem is that as the strings slide through the nut and try to return to their original position they have a tendency to stick in the nut grooves esp the wound strings. Hence the need for locking nuts which makes that problem go away....
but of course you'll already know that, you being a guitar hardware guru.

Dukey wrote:
Main conclusion: Gibson are expensive as hell, but it's a guitar for life. You won't regret any nickel you'll spend for a GOOD Gibson guitar...

+1 and extra emphasis on the good.. gibson is hit and miss but the right one just sings.

DukeFame wrote:
RATMRUSH :
I reckon Gibson make quality guitars, not as much now, but they really shouldn't go into metal in my opinion, it's not where they should be.
a lot of metal musicians use Gibsons for whether it be In Flames, Morbid Angel, or Gorgoroth. I've been playing metal on Gibson for years

that number increases in studio.. its insane how many artists switch over to an LP in studio from what they usually use on stage.. cant argue with the sound of a good guitar regardless. just goes to show you it doesnt mean s**t what kind of guitar your use for whatever kind of music you play..

ParasiticTwins wrote:
Wish Gibson would stick with what they know... all recent attempts to make revoloutionary and groundbreaking instruments seem to have been met with negativity. Just get them to price the classics reasonably and they'd do so much better.

You are aware that the Gibson Flying V and Explorer were groundbreaking and revolutionary back when they first came out, and at the time they were said to be too far ahead of their time...

wow. a lot of Gibson hate here. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it sucks.I got a Gibson SG last year and the thing can play anything I want it to and still sound great. I personally like Gibson a lot better than ESP and stuff, but that doesn't mean they suck. It's just opinion. Nothing makes me madder than guitar/music elitist.

Gibson does not suck.
ESP does not suck.
You can have your opinions, but both of those companies overall are not bad guitar companies. Yes, you might not like their guitars and you might hate how they play, but the person next to you might be the total opposite.
As for the REALLY bad copy guitars that are made in China, you can call that shit terrible. Quality-wise, your holding a guitar that looks decent, but is made of dog crap. That makes a bad guitar.
Gibson and ESP make great quality guitars. Of course some of the guitars are made poorly, but for the most part? The quality is good.

Skuzzmo wrote:
r0ckth3d34n wrote:
A locking tuner is the same concept as a locking nut, but up a few inches. Jeez people! Learn about your guitar hardware!
However, when you have bar abuse the strings will stretch and contract in response... the problem is that as the strings slide through the nut and try to return to their original position they have a tendency to stick in the nut grooves esp the wound strings. Hence the need for locking nuts which makes that problem go away....
but of course you'll already know that, you being a guitar hardware guru.

And abusing the hell out of a floyd rose with a locking nut causes no detuning problems? You're telling me I can pickup a guitar with a a Floyd Rose and a locking nut and have zero tuning issues? Funny, mr. smartass.

swordsofplague wrote:
ParasiticTwins wrote:
Wish Gibson would stick with what they know... all recent attempts to make revoloutionary and groundbreaking instruments seem to have been met with negativity. Just get them to price the classics reasonably and they'd do so much better.
You are aware that the Gibson Flying V and Explorer were groundbreaking and revolutionary back when they first came out, and at the time they were said to be too far ahead of their time...

fair point, but what is infact happening here is not groundbreaking at all, but a rehash of ideas implemented to far greater effect by other companies.

r0ckth3d34n wrote:
And abusing the hell out of a floyd rose with a locking nut causes no detuning problems? You're telling me I can pickup a guitar with a a Floyd Rose and a locking nut and have zero tuning issues? Funny, mr. smartass.

Zero tuning issues? Well on a good quality Floyd (Ie. Gotoh Floyd, Old Original Floyds, Ibanez Edges, etc) you'll have next to zero.
And the little bit you do have is still a hell of a lot less than the tuning problems you'll have with just locking tuners.

Ishiga wrote:
For all who defend gibsons here;
Wrong. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. Ever since Henry Juszkiewicz became chairman of Gibson Inc., quality control has spiralled down out of control. His own employees hate him, and several have already quit, despite the fact he puts on a charming face for the press. He's a two-faced son of a bitch who's overworking his employees, causing a massive amount of ****ups, both deliberate and accidental. I'd sooner watch Gibson Inc. fall than buy one.
In relation to the actual guitar review, it looks like a gorgeous guitar. Were it ten years ago, I'd love it. Let's hope they don't screw this one up.

The owner of the company (though he has not made any drastic changes to the production of the guitars) sucks, therefore the company and all things it produces suck. That totally makes sense. I do agree that there are some serious retards over at corporate Gibson, but your logic is ****ing bollox. Oh, and for all the haters of specific guitar companies, I have news for you: Gibson sucks. ESP sucks. In fact, all guitar companies suck. To tell you the truth, not one good guitar has ever been made in the history of luthiery, and this trend shall forever continue.

Fazemelta666 wrote:
Sounds ace, but i'd stick wit my Jackson JS30RR. The only thing about the Jackson though was that i got it witha basic bridge with no whammy; a bit like the one on the ESP LTD F-100FM. Still, good guitar. EMG makes squealies sound sick as hell!

not trying to be a dickhead, but honestly, you trust gibsons reputation of making great guitars? you really have no clue lol. just go on ed romans website(i know the man is insane)and read about what gibsons are really like, they are ridiculously overpriced with absolutely nothing special about them at all. I am getting a handcrafted 7 string, floyd rose, alder body, flamed maple top, wenge neck, 29 frets, hand wound pickups + everything else is top of the line for $4250. i truly feel sorry for people that spend big money on gibsons, if only they would take the time to actually look at other options rather then look at some artist like slash and think damn those les pauls are good! unfortunately, gibson nowadays makes mediocre guitars and overprices them astronomically, yet people will still buy them, thinking they're great. please, for the good of the industry and for your own sake, don't even consider buying this guitar, there are other MUCH BETTER alternatives out there if you look.

Oops, almost forgot to mention the value aspect in my post above. The tested guitars are somewhat variant in price, the PRS being by far the most expensive, followed by the Gibson Shred V, and then the Les Paul Studio. MSRP on the Shred is $3400, but the one I used was for sale brand new at $1700. These are Canadian dollars. Between the Studio and the Shred, there is no comparison in terms of comfort and response, the Shred is the clear winner, even worth the extra $500 or whatever the difference is. The PRS, while an amazing piece, is just not worth the extra cash FOR MY OWN APPLICATION, but I can clearly see where the PRS excels in terms of clarity on clean channels (especially through the Fender twin). I also find the Shred V to have a much more nimble fretboard than the PRS (but PRS is really smooth!), and the Shred is MUCH easier and more fun to play than the Lessie Studio, which was a bit cramped for a big guy like myself.

I have the Explorer version of this guitar, the Shred-X, and I adore it. The EMGs sounds awesome (I play it through a Peavey 6505) I would like to try Bare Knuckle Painkillers in it though because on BKs website they sound killer.
I bought it knowing damn well if I used the Kahler trem it would go out of tune, so I kept it locked up (I never use trems much anyway). I played an ESP EX and a Jackson Kelly and I preferred the Gibson Shred-X to both. I had it setup by a local guitar technician, and it is the best feeling guitar I've ever played.
I will admit there is a bit of fret buzz but I can tolerate it (although I know some people won't). And I appear to have a bizarre problem where if I'm on the neck pickup and switch to the bridge, it will be really quiet (as if the volume is turned down) and requires you to toggle the switch a few times to make it work again. But that is a rare occurrence. Other than that, this guitar looks awesome, all black hardware, ebony fretboard and an amazing glossy black finish, sounds awesome, and very reliable (I've had it for 2 years and the pickup problem has only just cropped up.) If I could get my hands on a Shred-V that would be awesome

I'm so sick off all these critics and self proclaimed experts on everything. Everybody with a keyboard has an opinion myself included. I've been playing guitar for 30+ years. I've played the circuit. I've made albums. I've written hundreds of songs. I've given lessons. I own 21 guitars. I own a Marshall stack. I own a peavey stack. I have a studio in my home. I own Jacksons, Gibsons, BC Rich, DBZ, Dean, Fender and Ibanez. I've been into Metal since before the Genre had a name. I own 4 Les Paul's and I would gladly demo tearing the shit out of those fretboards just as easy as any one of my other guitars. My Gibsons are the pride of my fleet and second to none! And proudly made right here in the greatest country on Earth!!! Of course they cost four times the price. The Koreans and the Indonesians are making 20 cents an hour. Support your American brothers and sisters and buy a god damned Gibson! If any of you super stars wanna show what you're made of, post some vids!!!!! I'm game...